Thousands welcome Pedro image in Iloilo

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands welcomed the pilgrim image of San Pedro Calungsod upon its arrival in Molo, Iloilo as the Duaw Nasud resumes last Saturday.

Fr. Charles Jayme, the head of the Duaw Nasud team and the official custodian of the saint’s pilgrim image, said that most of those who gathered were the youth.

Despite heavy rains, the youth organizations of Iloilo had a praise and worship activity for San Pedro Calungsod led by Fr. Boy Celis, the parish priest of St. Anne Parish.

“We had a great night last night with the praise and worship activity of the youth. Bisan ug uwan, full packed gihapon. They really made the youth participate,” Jayme said.

And since it is election period, politicians were also visible in the event but Jayme coordinated with the Church officials not to let these politicians speak in front of the public.

“They (politicians) are welcome, but they are not welcome to speak. They were there as believers and as Catholics. We made it a point that even the incumbent, dili sila hatagan ug chance makastorya para walay political color,” said Jayme.

Jayme said that this is the second time that the Duaw Nasud team went to Molo, Iloilo.

The archdiocese sent a request to Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to bring the pilgrim image back to their place and the prelate approved the request.

Jayme said that the parishioners treat the comeback of San Pedro Calungsod as the second homecoming.

“Sa first, it was a limited time.  They requested the image to be back in Molo and sent a request to Palma and he approved it. And while we were here, we will make use of the time to visit the neighboring dioceses,” Jayme said.

A solemn procession of the pilgrim image was done around Molo, Iloilo yesterday and today, there will be a send off mass at 5:30 a.m. as the team will move to Capiz.

The pilgrim image will stay until May 1 in Capiz and then it will be in Romblon from May 1 until May 5.

On May 5, it will be transferred to Kalibo, Aklan until the 7th and its last stop will be Antique. The team is expected to arrive in Cebu on May 9. — (FREEMAN)